Chemical contaminants found in Pavillion domestic water wells and EPA's monitoring wells have been linked to either the gas well production or hydraulic fracturing process.

The EPA's investigation is scientifically sound and demonstrates in a scientifically reliable way that chemical contaminants from the gas production zone reached the geologic formations between the gas production wells and the domestic water wells in the area.

There are higher than background concentration levels of potassium and chloride that support the conclusion that the source of those chemicals is hydraulic fracturing fluid emanating from the gas production zone.

Several synthetic organic compounds found in the EPA monitoring wells are apparently linked to hydraulic fracturing fluids, as there is no scientifically viable alternative explanation.

The EPA report demonstrates that it is the gas production process itself that has caused contamination in the domestic water wells of the Pavillion area.

EPA's monitor wells were carefully constructed and sampled using proper purging methods and could not have affected the existing groundwater chemistry.

The commissioning groups are submitting the finds as technical comments to the EPA.